Ice, I have seen a great many brown, black and polar bears killed with .44 magnums, and even with .357 magnums, as it is legal to hunt them with handguns in many states. The 10 mm isn't quite as powerful as the Dirty Harry gun and a bit more powerful than the top mankiller, the .357, and it has more rounds and a quick reload. I also have both .44 magnum and .357 magpie Desert Eagle automatics, but hiking should be fun, not cause a hernia. <g>
I figure Mr. Barr may get me, but he will have to do it without a nose, an eyeball, and broken bones in both his front arms. However, I have seen bears, even polar bears, which are very aggressive, run away at the sound of a loud handgun's report. Or maybe it is the flash of fire they don't like.
Anyway, my water would be lost as soon as I knew there was a bear in the area, much less that he was thinking of a nice brunch to tide him over. <g> No matter what, a handgun is a better defense than picking up a stick. And I am fairly confident of my ability to shoot many rounds fairly straight and even reload under great fear. But the fact is, if I thought there were any hungry bears on my path, I'd go to another place. |
